Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4B

DRAMi, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 E

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 A, B, C and D were powered by the Junkers Jumo engine. The Spanish Civil War presented the opportunity to test these revolutionary fighters in action, and they proved their worth in combat with Legion Condor over the skies of Spain. 

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 E series was the first of the family to be fitted with the Daimler Benz DB601A engine, resulting in a significant improvement in performance. 

Two variants were manufactured in parallel - the lightweight Bf 109 E-1 which retained the wing-mounted 7.9mm machine guns of the earlier Bf 109 B, C and D; and the Bf 109 E-3 which was fitted with one 20mm MG FF cannon in each wing. Both variants featured two additional 7.92mm machine guns in the cowl.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 shared the armament of the E-3 but introduced a number of improvements, including a revised canopy.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 fought alongside the Bf 109 E-1 and E-3 in the invasion of France and the Low Countries and the Battle of Britain in addition to later campaigns in the Balkans, North Africa and the Soviet Union.

Enter DRAMi

DRAMi Model is a new model company launched in 2026 by Zimi Model Technology Co. Ltd.

The name DRAMi combines Dragon and Zimi, reflecting the company's acquisition of selected scale model kit moulds from Dragon Models Ltd and Cyber Hobby.

Following Dragon's withdrawal from conventional kit manufacturing, DRAMi aims to bring many of its established kits back to the market, preserving their reputation for fine detail, quality moulding and historical authenticity. The initial range focuses primarily on 1:35 scale military vehicles, with accessories, upgrades and selected aircraft kits also included in the expanding catalogue but they have also resurrected at least one aviation subject, the Dragon 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4B.

Dragon's 1/32 scale Bf 109 E Family

Starting in 2010, Cyber-Hobby and Dragon released a family of 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Bf 109E kits, based on common tooling. The principal releases are as follows:

DRAMi Emils

DRAMi is bringing these mouldings back to market under revised catalogue numbers:

• DRM3204 – Bf 109E-4

• DRM3222 – Bf 109E-3

• DRM3223 – Bf 109E-7 Trop

• DRM3225 – Bf 109E-4B

In the Box

Tonight I will review kit no. DRM3225 – the Bf 109 E-4B. The model is packed in separate clear plastic bags inside a top-opening cardboard box. Artwork is quite striking.

The Bf 109 E-4B title actually sells the package short. You will be able to build a standard Bf 109 E-4, Bf 109 E-4 Trop, Bf 109 E-4B, Bf 109 E-7, Bf 109 E-7 Trop or Bf 109 E-7B straight from the box - just add decals.

This time around, the plastic parts are moulded in a medium dark grey colour with a satin finish. I know the colour of the plastic has no bearing on building the model, I do very much like the chosen shade.

Surface textures comprise mainly crisply recessed panel lines a small number of fine rows of rivets. Very nice indeed.

Detail is excellent. The cockpit parts are all-plastic. The instrument panel features raised bezels and dials with a few decals supplied for placards. You're on your own painting the other instrument panel details though. 

The wing spar is attached via the bottom of the cockpit tub.

A full engine is supplied. The engine looks good without being too complicated. Around 38 plastic parts will deliver a nice replica. The well detailed DB601A engine may be installed and displayed. The instructions imply that the upper engine cowl may be fitted without glue. The lower engine cowl may be left off to display the bottom of the engine and associated detail.

Flying surfaces are subtly done with raised narrow fabric strips.

All control surfaces are separate - the flaps, leading edge slats, ailerons, elevators and rudder. The flap hinges are actuator are provided as photo-etched metal. These may be made workable with care and commitment.

Rudder actuators are supplied in photo-etched metal.

Leading-edge slats are separate and positionable. They may be assembled in the extended (dropped) position, as they would normally appear on a parked aircraft.

The main wheel wells are nicely done.

The side covers of the main wells are represented by flexible DS-like plastic, this time black in colour. 

Undercarriage is made up from all-plastic wheels and tyres plus separate hydraulic lines and oleo scissors.

An MG-FF cannon and ammo bin is supplied for the inside of each wing. A separate bulged lower wing access panel may be glued in place or left off.

Two photo-etched frets bring us hinges, harnesses, straps and other small details.

Clear parts are thin and free from distorion. The middle canopy section may be posed open or closed.

Options include a tropical filter, four styles of propeller cap, two styles of pilot's head armour, 300 litre drop tank and an ETC lower fuselage rack with a 250 kg bomb.

Two marking options are offered on the modest-sized decal sheet.

There is no indication of the decal printer or designer.

DRAMi's reissue of Dragon's 1/32 scale Bf 109 E family is a welcome return of some high quality large-scale Luftwaffe subjects.

Kit No. DRM3225 offers impressive detail, a comprehensive selection of variant-specific parts and considerable flexibility straight from the box.

The well-represented DB 601A engine, separate control surfaces and positionable leading-edge slats are all useful.

Although the cockpit relies entirely on the modeller's painting skills for much of its finer detail, the overall package remains an attractive proposition.

DRAMi is making very promising entry into the large-scale aircraft market.

Thanks to ZIMI Model and Neverland Hobby for the sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2026 by Brett Green
Page Created 10 November, 2026
Last updated 11 November, 2026

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